Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

The next day.

The news of Lu Chen's advancement to martial artist spread throughout Chixia County.

Whenever a new martial arts master emerges from the five major martial arts schools in the county, the news quickly spreads to various factions.

Restaurants, trading companies, security escort agencies, pharmacies, and even wealthy families in the city are all keeping an eye on these up-and-coming young martial artists.

In chaotic times, warriors are synonymous with power.

A young martial artist who has just begun to emerge, with shallow foundations and no one behind him, is at the best time to make friends.

If we wait until he achieves mastery of martial arts in the future, the cost of winning him over will inevitably increase dramatically.

The Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School was much busier than usual this morning.

The first to arrive was Han Qi, the manager of Juxianglou.

Han Qi was still wearing that clean and presentable silk shirt, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and a warm smile on his face. As soon as he entered the martial arts school, he greeted Chen Chong familiarly.

"Master Chen, we meet again."

Chen Chong wasn't surprised to see him and smiled, "Manager Han is certainly well-informed."

Han Qi cupped his hands and smiled, "Another young martial artist has emerged from Chixia County. Such a joyous occasion naturally warrants our celebration."

"Please inform him that Han Qi from Juxianglou has come to pay a visit to Brother Lu Chen."

Not long after, Lu Chen was summoned out by Chen Chong.

Upon seeing Lu Chen, Han Qi's smile widened even more. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Young Brother Lu, do you still remember me?"

Lu Chen nodded: "Manager Han, I remember."

The scene of him presenting a gift to Shi Hao in front of all the village boys is still vivid in my mind.

Han Qi looked Lu Chen up and down, and then blurted out a compliment: "I knew long ago that Brother Lu was no ordinary person."

Then, Han Qi got straight to the point: "I'm not beating around the bush today. Juxianglou would like to ask you to serve as a guard for the building. You don't need to be on duty at Juxianglou on weekdays, just show up at the building on the first and fifteenth of each month. If any drunk customers cause trouble, you can help calm the situation down."

As he spoke, he took out a red envelope from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Lu Chen.

"Three taels of silver per month, plus a meal allowance. This will allow Brother Lu to have a family reunion dinner at the restaurant every month."

Three taels of silver. Plus a table of food and wine.

This arrangement is very thoughtful.

Lu Chen's heart stirred slightly.

Before he could answer, Wang Shouyi, the manager of the Yam Shop, and Luo Kuan, the deputy head of the Wangyuan Escort Agency, arrived together.

Manager Wang was older than Han Qi, thin, with a short mustache, and his clothes still carried a faint scent of medicinal herbs. Behind him followed a steward from the family and several servants.

Luo Kuan from Wangyuan Escort Agency arrived alone. He was burly, with dark skin and slightly bulging temples, and a thick-backed sword hung at his waist. He wore no fine clothes, nor did he carry any sachets or jade pendants; only a fierce aura honed from years of traveling the country.

Wang Shouyi glanced at Han Qi, clearly knowing he was a step too late, so he didn't exchange many pleasantries and said directly, "Our yam shop is willing to offer you a monthly salary of four taels."

Ignoring everyone else, Luo Kuan said directly, "My Wangyuan Escort Agency doesn't do anything fake. If you come to work here, you'll receive four taels of silver per month. You don't need to stay at the agency regularly, but you'll have to go on one escort trip per month. The journey isn't far; it's mostly to the surrounding counties of Chixia County."

"Another reward will be given upon completion."

Both of them gave more money than Han Qi gave.

Lu Chen fell silent, pondering to himself.

Working at the yam shop is risk-free, with a fixed monthly income of four taels of silver. The Wangyuan Escort Agency, on the other hand, requires escorting goods, which is risky but also offers high rewards, including an extra bonus.

Just as they were hesitating, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the martial arts school.

An elaborately decorated carriage stopped in front of the gate. The curtain was lifted, and a richly dressed young gentleman stepped out.

The newcomer was in his early twenties, holding a folding fan in his hand, with the arrogance typical of scions of noble families in his eyes and brows.

"Huang Jue from the Huang family in the east of the city has come to pay his respects to Brother Lu Chen."

His voice was loud and clear, carrying an imposing aura that overwhelmed everyone.

Lu Chen looked up at the newcomer, while Chen Chong reminded him from the side, "He is the second young master of the Huang family in the east of the city."

The Huang family in the east of the city runs the largest pharmacy in the county and employs many martial artists. More importantly, Shi Hao, Qin Wuhe's true disciple, is the Huang family's future son-in-law.

As soon as Huang Jue entered, Wang Shouyi's expression darkened noticeably.

Wangji Yam Shop and Huangjia Pharmacy were originally in the same industry.

Over the years, the Huang family has relied on their power and influence to squeeze out Wang's business.

Huang Jue first cupped his hands to Chen Chong, then looked at Lu Chen and said with a smile, "Brother Lu is a young hero. Among his peers, there are probably not many who can master the Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist to a minor level."

"My Huang family is in dire need of a young martial artist to serve as a guest retainer. If Brother Lu is willing to accept the position, he will receive five taels of silver per month, with additional gifts during festivals."

Then, he added slowly, "If Brother Lu ever buys a house in the city, my Huang family can also offer some assistance."

The words "set up a house" made Lu Chen's eyes flicker slightly.

He wanted to bring his parents to the city so they would no longer be harassed by bandits and local bullies.

This offer made him somewhat tempted.

Huang Jue, clearly adept at reading people, immediately noticed the change in Lu Chen's expression and continued, "Furthermore, my Huang family can advance half the cost of the house, allowing Brother Lu to focus more on his martial arts training. If Brother Lu achieves success in his martial arts in the future, I, Huang Jue, can personally arrange to give you a complete house!"

Huang Jue's words carried considerable weight.

A house in the county town costs at least a hundred taels of silver.

He immediately waived fifty taels from Lu Chen's account.

At this moment, Wang Shouyi suddenly interjected, "Young Master Huang, what a grand gesture!"

Huang Jue looked at him and smiled, "Manager Wang is here too? What a coincidence."

Wang Shouyi gave a forced smile: "Unfortunately, my Wang family arrived first."

Huang Jue waved his folding fan and said, "In business, first come, first served isn't important. What matters is who can afford the price and who is more sincere."

He was confident that he could definitely win over Lu Chen with this price.

After all, the latter has only just entered the Bloodline Realm, and its combat power and value are limited.

Wang Shouyi scoffed, "Sincerity?"

"If your Huang family is truly sincere, why not just give Brother Lu a house?"

Huang Jue's eyes turned cold: "What do you mean by that, Manager Wang?"

Wang Shouyi sneered, "That sounds nice, paying half the money upfront, but Brother Lu still has to pay the other half himself."

"Before coming here, you must have already inquired about it. Brother Lu comes from a mountain village, and half of that would cost at least fifty taels. How could he possibly afford that?"

"Hmph, when the time comes, your Huang family will surely trick Brother Lu into signing a mortgage, saying that you can pay it off slowly and there's no rush, but in reality, the interest will compound and the debt will pile up! In the end, Brother Lu will have no choice but to work for your Huang family to pay off your debts."

"Your Huang family has no good intentions whatsoever; you want to make Brother Lu a slave to your Huang family for life!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Jue flew into a rage: "Get lost, you old turtle Wang! Stop spouting nonsense and slandering my Huang family!"

Wang Shouyi laughed heartily: "Haha, everyone knows this is how your Huang family behaves, and you still want me to slander you?"

But in his heart, Wang Shouyi became lively.

Previously, the Huang family had already snatched away Shi Hao, a rising star from the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School.

Shi Hao is incredibly talented and is engaged to Miss Huang. He will inevitably become a link between the Huang family and Canglong Martial Arts School in the future.

If the Huang family signs Lu Chen now, then the two most noteworthy young martial artists of the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Academy will both be connected to the Huang family.

When the Huang family grows powerful, their yam business will naturally be suppressed even more severely.

We must get our hands on Lu Chen no matter what; we can't let the Huang family and the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School become completely bound together.

With this in mind, Wang Shouyi made a firm decision.

He turned to look at Lu Chen, his expression gradually becoming serious, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.

"Brother Lu."

"I will not engage in empty talk with the Huang family."

"If you're willing to take a position at my Wang's Yam Shop, I'll give you six taels of silver every month, plus a Blood Qi Powder!"

"Furthermore, I, Wang Ji, will sell you the medicinal herbs you need for martial arts training at a 70% discount!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed. They clearly hadn't expected Manager Wang to be so willing to go all out, offering such a high price for a martial artist who had just broken through to the next level.

Blood Qi Powder is a highly needed cultivation medicine for Blood Refining Realm martial artists, and its market price is two taels. In total, it's eight taels. This price could easily hire at least three beginner-level martial artists for a temporary post!

"Manager Wang really knows how to say things!"

Huang Jue sneered, then mocked, "However, the Wang family isn't just a bunch of people you can decide. Is your Wang family really willing to pay such a high price for a mere Blood Transformation Realm beginner?"

Sure enough, behind Wang Shouyi, one of the Wang family's stewards gave him a look, seemingly questioning his decision.

Wang Shouyi clapped his hands and declared, "I, Wang Shouyi, mean what I say!"

"A contract can be signed with Brother Lu on the spot!"

The steward behind him couldn't stand still and stepped forward to tug at Wang Shouyi's arm: "You know the situation of our yam shop. It's not a good choice to spend so much money to support a beginner martial artist."

Hiring a Blood Refining Realm martial artist for eight taels of silver is far beyond the market price.

Wang Shouyi, however, held the latter back and privately decided, "Weiyuantang has always looked down on our yam business, stuffing so many good-looking but useless young men into our ranks."

"The Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School is currently on a roll. A while ago, a genius named Shi Hao emerged. This Lu Chen is the key to our bet on establishing a relationship with the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School."

"At worst, we can kick out one of the people sent from Weiyuantang and transfer the resources to Lu Chen."